How to fix 404 errors when migrating a website in 2024?

Pre-Migration Planning and Inventory

When it comes to migrating a website, one of the most critical steps to ensure a smooth transition and to minimize the occurrence of 404 errors is thorough pre-migration planning and inventory. This process involves taking a comprehensive snapshot of your existing website, which includes documenting all the URLs, the structure of the site, and the content on each page. At JEMSU, we emphasize the importance of this step as it lays the groundwork for a successful migration.

By creating a detailed inventory, JEMSU enables its clients to identify all the pages that will need to be accounted for during the migration. This inventory serves as a reference point to ensure no pages are overlooked and helps to map where each URL will be directed in the new site structure. It’s akin to packing up a house before a move; you have to know what items you have and where they will go in your new home to prevent anything from being lost.

A statistic that highlights the importance of pre-migration planning is that websites that undergo thorough pre-migration audits and inventory assessment are significantly less likely to experience extensive 404 errors post-migration. This is because the planning phase allows for the identification and resolution of potential issues before they affect users and search engine rankings.

JEMSU uses this pre-migration phase to also set up benchmarks for the website’s current performance. By tracking metrics such as traffic, conversion rates, and search engine rankings before the migration, we can compare them to the performance after the migration to quickly identify any discrepancies that may be due to 404 errors or other issues.

Moreover, during the inventory phase, JEMSU often finds opportunities for improvement. For example, if certain pages have outdated content or are no longer relevant, they may not need to be migrated to the new site. This streamlining process can improve site navigation and user experience, making the website more efficient and focused post-migration.

In summary, pre-migration planning and inventory is analogous to laying the foundation for a house. Without a strong foundation, the integrity of the entire structure is at risk. JEMSU ensures that this foundation is solid by meticulously planning and documenting every aspect of your website before migration begins, effectively preventing the majority of 404 errors from occurring and setting the stage for a successful website relaunch.

Redirect Strategy and Implementation

When migrating a website, a robust redirect strategy is essential to ensure that users and search engines can find the new locations of your content. A well-planned redirect strategy involves mapping old URLs to their corresponding new URLs, which helps in preserving the site’s search equity and provides a seamless user experience. JEMSU understands the importance of this process and meticulously implements redirects, primarily using 301 permanent redirects, to signal to search engines that the page has moved permanently.

For example, if JEMSU were to migrate a website, we would first identify all the existing URLs that would be affected. We’d then create a redirect map that pairs each old URL with the appropriate new URL. This map guides the development team in implementing the redirects on the server. It’s akin to moving homes; you want to make sure that all your mail is forwarded to your new address so that nothing gets lost in the transition.

Stats highlight the importance of a proper redirect strategy. According to Moz, without redirects, a website could lose about 15% of its search traffic due to broken links after a migration. JEMSU aims to minimize this loss significantly by ensuring that every redirect is accounted for and functions correctly.

In addition to the technical aspect, JEMSU also focuses on the user journey. Redirects should be set up in a way that makes intuitive sense to the user. If a product has been discontinued, for instance, the user might be redirected to a related product or a category page, rather than just a generic homepage. This thoughtful approach to redirect strategy aids in retaining customer trust and satisfaction, which is critical for online businesses.

The implementation of a redirect strategy is not a one-and-done task; it requires ongoing attention. JEMSU continuously monitors the redirects after the website migration to ensure they are working as intended. Any issues are promptly addressed to maintain site integrity and performance. With a strong redirect strategy in place, businesses can mitigate the risks associated with 404 errors and maintain their digital presence with confidence.

Updating Internal Links

When a website undergoes a migration, updating internal links is a critical step that can greatly affect the site’s usability and SEO performance. JEMSU understands the importance of maintaining a seamless link structure to ensure both search engines and users can navigate the new site without encountering errors. Internal links are the highways of a website, guiding visitors from one page to another, and just like a city’s traffic system, any broken paths can lead to frustration and a poor experience.

Updating internal links involves a meticulous process of identifying all existing links on the website and ensuring they point to the correct new pages post-migration. Imagine moving to a new office building and having to ensure that all your mail is forwarded to the correct address; similarly, each link on your website should accurately lead to its intended destination. According to a study by Moz, proper internal linking can distribute page authority and ranking power throughout the site, which is essential for maintaining search rankings.

An example of the importance of this process can be taken from JEMSU’s own experience. In one of our projects, a client had migrated their site without updating internal links, resulting in a significant drop in user engagement and increased bounce rates. After JEMSU intervened and corrected the internal link structure, the site saw an improvement in user behavior metrics, such as time on site and pages per session.

Quotes from industry experts often underscore the significance of internal links. As SEO consultant Rand Fishkin once said, “Internal links are hugely important for SEO, for usability, for customer delight.” JEMSU takes this advice to heart when working on website migrations, ensuring that every link is a thread in the web that holds the user’s journey together.

In conclusion, updating internal links is not just a technical necessity; it’s an opportunity to enhance the user experience and solidify the SEO foundation of a website post-migration. JEMSU’s strategic approach to this task ensures that websites remain cohesive, efficient, and enjoyable for users to navigate, which in turn helps to sustain and improve the site’s search engine rankings.

Custom 404 Page Creation

When migrating a website, creating a custom 404 page is an essential step that can significantly enhance the user experience. At JEMSU, we understand that even with meticulous planning, some visitors may encounter 404 errors. These errors occur when a page that a user is trying to reach cannot be found on the server, which is a common issue during and after a website migration.

A custom 404 page serves as a much friendlier error message compared to the default and often jarring “Page Not Found” response. It offers an opportunity to guide users back to working pages on your site, thereby reducing the likelihood of bounce and retaining visitors. For instance, JEMSU might design a 404 page that reflects the brand’s personality, includes a simple apology or explanation, and provides helpful links to redirect users to the most popular or important pages on the website.

Moreover, a well-crafted custom 404 page can be used to collect information on how users are reaching these dead ends. By including a tracking code, businesses like JEMSU can analyze the data and identify the most frequently encountered broken links. This information is invaluable for ongoing website maintenance and can help prioritize which issues to address first.

According to internet statistics, a significant percentage of users who hit a default 404 page will leave the site immediately. However, with a custom 404 page that is engaging and helpful, JEMSU can help clients reduce this percentage, keeping more users engaged and navigating their site even when an error occurs.

Analogous to a friendly store assistant in a brick-and-mortar store who helps you find what you’re looking for when you’ve taken a wrong turn, a custom 404 page, expertly implemented by JEMSU, acts as a virtual guide, helping lost visitors find their way and perhaps discover something new and beneficial in the process. By providing alternative content suggestions or links to the site map, users are much less likely to leave out of frustration.

In conclusion, a custom 404 page is not just a courtesy to confused visitors—it’s a strategic tool. JEMSU leverages custom 404 pages to improve user experience, maintain brand consistency, and ultimately keep potential customers engaged, even in the face of minor setbacks like a missing page.

Monitoring and Auditing Post-Migration

After the migration of a website, monitoring and auditing are crucial to ensuring a seamless transition for users and search engines alike. JEMSU, as a proficient digital advertising agency, understands the importance of keeping a close eye on a website’s performance after migration. This process involves regularly checking for 404 errors, which indicate that a page cannot be found. These errors can negatively impact user experience and harm a website’s search engine ranking if not addressed promptly.

One of the first steps in post-migration monitoring is to utilize tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console. These platforms provide valuable data about a website’s performance and can highlight pages that are returning 404 errors. According to statistics, a well-monitored website can reduce the number of 404 errors by up to 80% within the first month after migration. This is a testament to the effectiveness of diligent post-migration auditing.

An analogy to understand the importance of this step is to liken your website to a newly relocated retail store. If customers arrive at the old address and find a closed store, they may leave with a negative impression. Similarly, online visitors who encounter 404 errors may become frustrated and lose trust in the brand. JEMSU emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring to quickly identify and fix any broken links, ensuring that the transition is as smooth as a customer walking into a new store location and finding everything they need.

By reviewing server logs, JEMSU can identify 404 errors that might not be apparent through front-end tools. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. For example, if a particular product page is consistently returning a 404 error, this indicates that there is a broken link that needs to be addressed. Quick action can prevent the loss of potential sales and preserve the website’s search engine ranking.

Furthermore, auditing should include the validation of redirect strategies to confirm that all intended redirects are functioning correctly. An incorrect redirect can be just as harmful as a 404 error since it might lead a user or search engine to an irrelevant page, thereby diluting the user experience and the website’s authority.

In conclusion, JEMSU’s approach to monitoring and auditing post-migration is not just about fixing errors; it’s about proactively enhancing the website’s performance and maintaining its search engine presence. By paying close attention to potential issues and making adjustments as needed, JEMSU ensures that the website migration is successful and that the digital presence of the business continues to thrive in the post-migration period.

Communication with Webmasters and Updating External Links

When migrating a website, one of the critical steps that can’t be overlooked involves communication with webmasters and updating external links. This process is essential to maintaining the integrity of your online presence and ensuring that visitors who arrive via external links are not greeted with the dreaded 404 error page. JEMSU understands the importance of this step and takes a comprehensive approach to manage external links effectively.

Firstly, it’s essential to identify all the backlinks your current website has. These are the links from other websites that point to your pages. According to a Moz study, external links are one of the most important ranking factors for SEO. JEMSU uses advanced tools to crawl the web and inventory all the backlinks to ensure none is missed. Once these links are identified, it’s time to reach out to the webmasters who manage these external sites.

The outreach process involves contacting the webmasters and informing them about the website migration. JEMSU crafts personalized communication to each webmaster, explaining the changes and providing them with the new URLs. This is not just a courtesy but a strategic move to maintain SEO value and user experience. It’s akin to updating your address with the post office and your friends when you move to a new home; if you don’t notify them, your mail and visitors won’t know where to find you.

In cases where it’s not possible to update all external links—for example, if the webmaster is unresponsive or the site with the backlink is no longer maintained—implementing a strong redirect strategy comes into play. JEMSU ensures that any old URLs that are still being used by other websites are redirected to the relevant new page on the migrated website. This redirect not only helps in preserving link equity but also offers a seamless transition for users clicking through from other sites.

Furthermore, while updating external links, it’s crucial to also update any mentions of your brand with the correct URL. Brand mentions can be just as valuable as direct backlinks, as they contribute to your website’s authority and can drive direct traffic. JEMSU takes a proactive stance in monitoring for such mentions across the internet and reaching out for updates where necessary.

Through these efforts, JEMSU helps to minimize the negative impacts that could arise from a website migration. By ensuring that external links are properly managed and updated, the agency helps maintain search rankings, prevents a poor user experience, and retains the trust that customers and search engines have in a brand. It’s a meticulous process, but one that pays dividends in sustaining the digital ecosystem around a brand’s online presence.

FAQS – How to fix 404 errors when migrating a website in 2024?

1. **What are 404 errors, and why do they occur during website migration?**
A 404 error occurs when a web page that a user tries to access cannot be found on the server. During website migration, these errors often occur because URLs change, and the old URLs have not been redirected to the new ones, or because files and resources have been deleted or misplaced.

2. **How can I identify 404 errors after migrating my website?**
You can identify 404 errors by using tools like Google Search Console, which reports crawl errors, or by running a crawl on your new site with tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider to check for broken links.

3. **What is the impact of 404 errors on my website’s SEO?**
404 errors can negatively impact your website’s user experience and SEO if they are frequent or if high-value pages are missing. Search engines may see your site as less reliable, which can affect your rankings.

4. **Should I fix all 404 errors found on my website?**
Priority should be given to fixing 404 errors on pages that have backlinks, high traffic, or are important for your users. Some low-value URLs that receive no traffic or have no backlinks might not need immediate attention.

5. **How do I fix 404 errors after migrating my website?**
To fix 404 errors, you should implement 301 redirects from the old URLs to the relevant new URLs. Ensure that your .htaccess file or server configuration is set up correctly to handle these redirects.

6. **What are 301 redirects, and how do they solve 404 errors?**
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from one URL to another. They are used to tell browsers and search engines that a page has moved permanently, thereby solving 404 errors by redirecting users and search engines to the new URL.

7. **Can creating a custom 404 page help with fixing migration-related 404 errors?**
While a custom 404 page does not fix the errors, it can improve the user experience by providing options to navigate back to the main site or search for the intended content.

8. **How long does it take for 404 errors to disappear after they are fixed?**
Once a 404 error is fixed through a redirect or by restoring the content, the error may disappear from tools like Google Search Console within a few days to a few weeks, depending on how often your site is crawled.

9. **What is the best way to monitor for 404 errors after migrating a website?**
Regularly monitoring your website using Google Search Console, and running periodic crawls with SEO tools will help you identify and manage 404 errors effectively.

10. **Can I prevent 404 errors during website migration?**
Yes, by carefully planning the migration process, mapping old URLs to new ones, setting up redirects beforehand, and testing the new site thoroughly before going live, you can minimize the occurrence of 404 errors.

Remember that while addressing 404 errors is essential, it’s also crucial to maintain a comprehensive approach to SEO and monitor the overall health of your website regularly.